Piano Sonata No. 2 (Schumann)

The Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 was composed by Robert Schumann from 1831 to 1838.

It was his last full-length attempt at the sonata genre, the other completed ones being the Piano Sonata No. 1 in F♯ minor (Op. 11) and the Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor (Op. 14); he later wrote Three Piano Sonatas for the Young Op. 118. Because it was published before the F minor sonata, it was given an earlier sequence number (No. 2) but still kept its later opus number (Op. 22). This has caused confusion, and recordings of the G minor Sonata have sometimes been published as "Sonata No. 3". There was also an earlier sonata in F minor, which Schumann abandoned; this is sometimes referred to as "Sonata No. 4".

Among his sonatas, this one is very frequently performed and recorded. Because of its great variety and highly virtuosic demands, it is enjoyed both by audiences and performers alike. Clara Schumann claimed to be "endlessly looking forward to the second sonata", nevertheless Robert revised it several times. At Clara Schumann's request, the original finale, marked Presto passionato was replaced with a less difficult movement.^[1]

Movements

So rasch wie möglich ("As quickly as possible" — however, near the end, Schumann writes "Schneller" and then "Noch schneller", meaning "Faster" and "Still faster")
Andantino. Getragen
Scherzo. Sehr rasch und markiert
Rondo. Presto

References

↑ "I am endlessly looking forward to the second sonata", thus Clara wrote to Robert in 1838, "Your whole being is so clearly expressed in it." Nonetheless in the same letter she encouraged him to revise the last movement, which provided the composition with a completely new finale. The first two movements were also reworked several times.

External links

Piano Sonata No.2, Op.22: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project

Solo piano music by Robert Schumann

Single-movement works	Variations on the name "Abegg" in F, Op. 1 Arabeske in C, Op. 18 Blumenstück in D♭, Op. 19 Humoreske in B♭, Op. 20 Geistervariationen in E♭, WoO 24

Suites and collections	Papillons, Op. 2 Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6 Carnaval, Op. 9 Fantasiestücke, Op. 12 Symphonic Studies, Op. 13 Kinderszenen, Op. 15 Kreisleriana, Op. 16 Novelletten, Op. 21 Nachtstücke, Op. 23 Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26 Album for the Young, Op. 68 Waldszenen, Op. 82 Gesänge der Frühe, Op. 133

Piano sonatas and fantasies	Fantasie in C, Op. 17 Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22

List of solo piano compositions by Robert Schumann List of compositions by Robert Schumann

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